Lebanon needs to disentangle its national decision-making from regional power struggles and move decisively toward restoring full state sovereignty, Marwan Abdallah, head of the Kataeb Party’s Foreign Affairs Department, said in an interview on LBCI.

Abdallah argued that Hezbollah’s strategic decisions are ultimately made in Tehran, insisting that any understanding of the group’s role in Lebanon cannot be separated from Iran’s regional influence. He stressed, however, that Lebanon’s political solution must be internal and not tied to external negotiations.

“What is happening in Iran cannot dictate Lebanon’s fate,” he said. “We have our own national foundations, including the authority of the State and the fact that a majority of Lebanese reject Hezbollah’s political and military direction.”

He called for a clear distinction between any Lebanese-Israeli diplomatic process and parallel negotiations involving Iran and the United States.

“It is time to dismantle this system and fully restore the legitimate State,” Abdallah said. “That requires political will, courage, and persistence to see it through to the end.”

He rejected the idea that Lebanon should wait for Hezbollah’s approval to fully integrate state institutions and decision-making.

“We will not accept the notion that the country must wait for Hezbollah to decide whether it joins the State or not,” he said.

Abdallah accused Hezbollah of portraying itself as a victim while blaming the Lebanese army and state institutions for instability.

“The one who stands in the way of the State and refuses to implement its decisions is the one pushing the country toward conflict,” he said.

He added that Lebanon’s security institutions must play a firm role in protecting all citizens, including Shiite communities, while ensuring that state authority is enforced without hesitation.

“Reason must prevail over illusions and false narratives,” he said. “The army and security forces have a responsibility to protect the Shiite community and ensure their safety, with firm enforcement when necessary.”

Abdallah also criticized Hezbollah’s military doctrine, saying the group invested in tunnel networks rather than civilian protection infrastructure. He emphasized that the Shiite community itself is not under threat from other Lebanese factions.

“No one is targeting the Shiites except Hezbollah itself,” he said. “How can anyone claim otherwise when the call is for equality and building the State together?”

“What we want is to rebuild the south, revive villages, and create economic opportunities for their residents,” he added.

Abdallah rejected warnings that tensions involving the Lebanese Army could escalate into civil war, arguing that most Lebanese—including within the Shiite community—are unwilling to be drawn into renewed conflict.

“No one who thinks rationally or emotionally would abandon the army to join an outlawed militia,” he said, dismissing any prospect of military fragmentation. He called for “a bold and decisive stance” from the army leadership to implement government decisions.

On the political track, Abdallah said direct negotiations with Israel are inevitable. He expressed support for President Joseph Aoun’s approach, arguing that only negotiations can halt ongoing destruction and attacks.

“This process will continue regardless of Hezbollah’s position,” he said.

He added that Hezbollah cannot override the authority of the presidency or the State.

“Decision-making has returned to the president and prime minister,” he said. “The only reference is the Lebanese Constitution and legitimate institutions.”

Abdallah said any future agreement with Israel must serve Lebanon’s national interest, adding that the same principle should apply to relations with Syria.

He also suggested that Iran has no interest in seeing Lebanon achieve economic or security stability, arguing that a prosperous and sovereign Lebanon would run counter to Tehran’s regional strategy.

By contrast, he said Saudi Arabia supports Lebanese state institutions and backs efforts to end the conflict in line with international and constitutional legitimacy.